Japanese Breakfast: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert
Музыка
Oct. 25, 2017 | Marissa Lorusso -- As Japanese Breakfast, Michelle Zauner writes sparkling, opulent dream pop about grief and love (and, occasionally, robots). After releasing its debut album, Psychopomp last year, the band returned with this year's stunning Soft Sounds From Another Planet. Where Psychopomp, written in the immediate aftermath of the death of Zauner's mother, zeroed in on the experience of Zauner's grief, Soft Sounds widens her aperture, featuring paeans to her coping mechanisms, ruminations on crooked relationship dynamics and said sci-fi robot fantasy.
At its Tiny Desk concert, the band swapped out Soft Sound's gauzy, astral synths for acoustic guitar and piano, and was joined by members of Washington, D.C. string quartet Rogue Collective. Zauner had wanted to do something special for the performance, and was tipped off by Landlady's Adam Schatz that the Rogue Collective make pretty great Tiny Desk partners. The Collective practiced with Japanese Breakfast the day before the Tiny Desk, and was a featured guest later that night at the band's D.C. show.
The adaptation highlighted Zauner's strength as a songwriter, providing an even more direct line into the raw emotion at the heart of her songs. The string swells during "Boyish" lent gravity to the song's bittersweet desperation. During "Till Death," her ode to marriage, Zauner sang - as she often does - in a way that strains her voice to the crackling, taut edge of heartbreak. It's arresting on any stage, but particularly powerful in the stark midday light of NPR Music's office.
For its final song at the Tiny Desk, Japanese Breakfast performed "This House." Gone was the Rogue Collective, and indeed much of the band - just Zauner and pianist Craig Hendrix remained. The song describes moments in love that are more fearful labor than bliss, the hazy space where commitment, confusion and longing intersect. Like much of Japanese Breakfast's music, the performance shows Zauner looking unblinkingly at fear and pain, daring us to do the same.
Set List
"Boyish"
"Till Death"
"This House"
MUSICIANS
Michelle Zauner; Deven Craige, Craig Hendrix; Peter Bradley; Alexa Cantalupo; Kaitlin Moreno; Natalie Spehar
CREDITS
Creative Director: Bob Boilen; Producers: Bob Boilen, Morgan Noelle Smith; Audio Engineer: Josh Rogosin; Videographers: Morgan Noelle Smith, Niki Walker, Bronson Arcuri, Colin Marshall; Photo: Christina Ascani/NPR
For more Tiny Desk concerts, subscribe to our podcast: www.npr.org/podcasts/510292/ti...
Пікірлер: 522
the way they look at each other when they say “marriage” for the “till death” makes me cry after learning the circumstances of their wedding
@sophiatillem4561
2 жыл бұрын
@@user-pf2zt6kk6o I would recommend reading Michelle's book 'Crying in H Mart' which explains everything in far better detail, but basically, her and her husband got married as a way to give her terminally ill mother something to look forward to before she passed. She died two weeks after the wedding. The book provides a lot more context which makes the circumstances of their wedding much more devastating.
@sophiatillem4561
2 жыл бұрын
@@user-pf2zt6kk6o this is japanese breakfast- Michelle Zauner is the lead singer. But yes, mitski is also phenomenal
Saw them live, the whole band was amazing. Some dude yelled from the audience if Michelle wanted wings and she said yes, so he climbed on stage and they ate chicken wings on stage together lol
@Zeokoz
5 жыл бұрын
When I was reading this comment I thought for a second this person in the audience had a pair of wings from some costume - then I read the second line of your comment lol. Seeing them live is definitely on my bucket list!
@ieatgohan
5 жыл бұрын
I mean what do you expect from wingchick69
@thochenlama4847
4 жыл бұрын
I thought red bull
@andrewgrenville5887
3 жыл бұрын
It's a tradition to bring her food
@CherryBlossomBlyue
3 жыл бұрын
That's so cool
I love Japanese Breakfast, Boyish is one of the best ballads if heard, sounds like it’s made during the Elvis era, gorgeous
@kid-kuma
5 жыл бұрын
And the mv compliments it incredibly
@enzomigflores
3 жыл бұрын
Agreed. Wayyy underrated
What I don't understand is how anyone can describe this music as being 'boring'. It's so special, with Michelle's voice being so special and fragile, while in till death, there is the beautiful blending of sounds from all the violins, the piano and guitars. Till Death is probably my favourite song, feeling like a strange and vivid dream, filled with memories lost from long ago. Absolutely beautiful.
@wowno5763
4 жыл бұрын
people who find Japanese Breakfast boring might like her old band better, Little Big League. i love both, but im still kinda sad LBL only made two albums before breaking up, they were so good.
@magoichi1415
2 жыл бұрын
TILL DEATH is my favorite song right next to The Story by Brandi Carlile. Love it
@danstvguy
2 жыл бұрын
Yikes.
@arlofleenor1838
2 жыл бұрын
@@danstvguy wdym
@richardmendez5333
Жыл бұрын
Horrid voice
She has the perfect amount of imperfection in her voice. Absolutely beautiful.
@xindiw8379
5 жыл бұрын
Totally get it!!
@xchorro
4 жыл бұрын
she’s not the greatest singer yet she still sounds great lol
@enzomigflores
3 жыл бұрын
These are my thoughts that I can't transform to words. Thanks for the help lol
@dontgotocollege5232
3 жыл бұрын
I cant hear whats wrong with it?
@kozysnacker
3 жыл бұрын
@@dontgotocollege5232 She doesn't climb scales or slam dunk every note like Celine Dion or Mariah Carey but she emotes beautifully and her range, naturally, works well within her songs.
0:00 - Boyish 4:05 - Till Death 7:57 - This House
@unfoundedwarning
2 жыл бұрын
ty
@jacobhooper5311
2 жыл бұрын
i hope someone loves you everyday forever in the way you need, because you deserve it
Tiny desk concerts changed my life
The book she just released is soooo good.
@toothliz
3 жыл бұрын
Yes. I just finished reading it. I cried the hardest when she started wailing while she changed her deceased mom’s clothes
3:55 "this next song is called til death, and it's about marriage" *she and her husband look at each other*
@Onatakosha
5 жыл бұрын
gbrlsrn wait thats her husband?
@gbrlsrn
5 жыл бұрын
yes! he joined the band. soft sounds is dedicated to him
@mamangcilorjaxel6117
3 жыл бұрын
@@gbrlsrn omg are you sure?? 💔💔💔
@capella891
3 жыл бұрын
@@mamangcilorjaxel6117it's true!
@clementbarney359
3 жыл бұрын
JDHAKFJS IK IT WAS SO SWEET
Till Death is my favorite song of 2017. Many songs represented the grand scheme of things and the state of the world from individual to a general perspective. This song does the contrary by giving a context of the world as it is to paint the scenario and then it moves to the love between two people. By itself it is a pretty well written and instrumentally beautiful song. Minimalist but with enough depth showing how much both people mean to each other. The lyrics in the end show some of the pain they have gone through, from traumatic events, and then it ends with the fear of losing each other to death. I love this song.
@helloween69z
5 жыл бұрын
great interpretation, so much meaning in a few words
till death makes me sad in a way I can't ex[plain.
@somebodyelse714
5 жыл бұрын
the way the strings build during the lyric about being sung to sleep moved me to tears the first time i heard it. It's a beautiful song and sentiment.
@YaeloRodriguez
3 жыл бұрын
Same feeling :')
Personally I think she's my artist of the year. Soft sounds from another planet is incredible from front to back.
@Hardbody94
6 жыл бұрын
Allen Hill top record
@nullnull2628
6 жыл бұрын
Allen Hill exactly
@ritzafrancois4863
5 жыл бұрын
How about this year?
@ricardotreehi2384
5 жыл бұрын
Man if Julien Baker and Phoebe Bridgers didn’t drop an album in 2017, then soft sounds would easily be album of the year no question.
@clementbarney359
3 жыл бұрын
‼️‼️
this house is probably one of my favorite song this year.
Searched for a Japanese breakfast NPR 2 days ago, disappointed to find one didn't exist. What a roller coaster.
So glad Japanese Breakfast gets an NPR Tiny Desk Concert! I saw this group perform at the Neurolux in Boise, Idaho, about a month ago, and I bought both cd's and have really enjoyed listening. Michelle Zauner is a very interesting songwriter, and there is something so compelling, honest, and pure about her singing. Anything that helps promote the interesting musicians who are currently ignored by big record producers is most welcome! I have made many wonderful discoveries on Tiny Desk. Thank you NPR and the many, many talented people who get a chance to reach a wider audience.
@junerise
6 жыл бұрын
HOLA!!!! HOW ARE YOU!?!
Favorite band in this last year. Seen them 3 times. Michelle is such a great performer.
@luvlaceymosley
6 жыл бұрын
Chase Adams I'm jealous lol. Hoping I get to see her at some point
The way she sings is so sincere and makes my heart ache. So beautiful.
boyish is soo beautiful, even better than studio version. wow
HER VOCALS ARE STUNNING HOLY
@mewho6199
Жыл бұрын
What are YOU hearing?
I come back to this video every now and then and i cant emphasize how impactful this performance is. Its so beautiful and heartbreaking at the same time.
I cried in the shower when I sang these lyrics to myself. They just took everything back to a hard relationship. It is so beautiful though.
@russallen2011
2 жыл бұрын
I also like crying in the shower :)
Who else is here after reading her freaking amazing book :p
japanese breakfast is one of my favorite niche artists. michelle's voice has made me cry so many times
i really like the tone and emotion of her voice when she sings the line "your voice in the night sing me to sleep" :D
@rafaelsanbeiro
6 ай бұрын
Best song
11 minutes, i wished this was an hour! love it!
@nevertastesogood
6 жыл бұрын
Toby Kral 💟💟💟
mixing (live sound) is phenomenal
She’s such an amazing songwriter. Her music fits her so perfectly. She has a somber sense that you can hear in her vocals and it really just completes everything you’re hearing. Michelle is a truly unique and genuine artist.
@michaeltw1000
2 жыл бұрын
Are you on drugs? This is zero talent; complete trash
Came here because @withcindy talked about the memoir Michelle wrote for her mother. Did not know anything about them before and now that I listened to this, I am absolutely enchanted. So glad I came here to check them out.
wow i almost cried listening to Till Death
I've been waiting for this forever :). She's is a great musician and poet. She writes lyrics you can get lost in.
I watch this video ever single day
@yungbrisk3229
Жыл бұрын
ive watched this 10 times in the past 2 days
Oh fuck, those strings put the songs in another level of awesomeness! So beautiful! Michelle is so freaking talented!
So beautiful, they got a new fan.
@aakilsharif1963
6 жыл бұрын
Isabel Vda yep... I'm all in now.
I love how she's married to one of her bandmates and they play a song about marriage
@beevee9480
2 жыл бұрын
Also the 2 violinists in the video are a couple. Love abounds.
@ajsuflena156
2 жыл бұрын
@@beevee9480 how did u know this
@beevee9480
2 жыл бұрын
@@ajsuflena156 googled their names :)
@xlovemeifyoudare
2 жыл бұрын
@@ajsuflena156 it’s in her book
@JacquelynWells
Жыл бұрын
What’s the song called ?
THIS IS SO AMAZING!!!! THE SOUND, THE WORDS, THE SENTIMENT. CAN THIS BE THE SOUNDTRACK TO MY LIFE? THANK YOU
@luvlaceymosley
6 жыл бұрын
ThePunkyDuck TINA!
love how michelle is playing what seems to be, a classical guitar
boyish depicts my story more than i ever could
@Brantendo64
6 жыл бұрын
That's what great artists do.
@sadv0m
6 жыл бұрын
Mood.
Have returned here countless times throughout the years, truly wonderful music
the audio IS AWESOME always love japanese breakfast
Saw them live this last year. Fantastic concert experience. Probably the most enjoyable concert experience I’ve had so far in my life
I love it when my favorite bands and people get on here!!!
I am obsessed with Japanese Breakfast lately, Boyish is definitely my most favorite song of all time~ it's simple, but it's catchy also the lyrics are perfect for what I'm experiencing. Really love the instrumentals as well ❤️
Michelle, this tiny desk concert was truly amazing. Your voice soothes me very much. I’m coming back to this again and again
AMAZING HARMONIOUS VOCALS, WHAT A BLESSING
OMG I was waiting for this!!! i literally just searched up "japanese breakfast npr" last night and it wasn't here yet on YT! i'm just so happy! :')))
Wasn't expecting to see them here, awesome performance!
I can listen to her sing for hours and it would never get old
Oh, WOW!! This is just BEAUTIFUL. The melodies, and lyrics are so heart touching. While listening to this, I felt this soothing calm, like a cold morning in a cabin out in the woods. I loved it.
still in love with their ep.
Their music brings me so many emotions, so visceral.
I cried to this in chemistry class thanks Japanese breakfast
@mewho6199
Жыл бұрын
Instead of paying attention in chemistry class? Kids today.
dreamy
Great band, love the additions of the stringed instruments, suits their style well
I recently discovered Japanese Breakfast through a collaboration Giraffage did with Michelle in one of his new songs titled, "Maybes". When I started listening to Michelle's tracks, I instantly found them to be a true hidden gem. To see them here, on NPR, is a real treat.
@Synper311
6 жыл бұрын
Giraffage's latest album blew me away.
so glad to have found her music
Tiny Desks always give me that spark of inspiration back in a second ; they remind me why I want to do what I want to do. Michelle Zauner, Japanese Breakfast- amazing, amazing.
"Genetic disease" never sounded so good.
I saw these guys live in concert and they were great, another band Mother opened up for them with a similar vibe. The bass player for Japanese Breakfast in particular is incredible live. They have some songs where he can really groove on.
I've only been listening to this band for about a month now and this makes me love them so much more.
incredible work, Michelle! God bless, and we all love you so so much!
I could. Listen to these 1000 times
you ever come across artists that sound even more amazing live well that’s japanese breakfast for you saw her in houston and wooow i was blown away
Awesome! Saw them on AudioTree Live, so glad to see them on Tiny Desk!
I put off watching this performance (still less than 24 hrs) cause I had a feeling that I would burst into tears. And I was right! only took 5 seconds lol
I'm going to see them live in two days!!!
I get to see her live in like a month. I can't believe it. Im so excited
Wow never heard of these guys and absolutely love this - one of those pivotal NPR Tiny Desk Concert moments :)
The Violine...Just Beautiful...
Recently discovered them and I'm so obsessed with her voice. Boyish is definetely my favorite one.
Saw her in Austin at ACL 2018 and it was my favorite performance of the whole festival! I love her
I watch this every day, this is everything, a tour de force.
I find that Michelle Zauner is incredible, authentic, fragile and so artistic. I am reading her book ' Crying in H mart', which is so real and touching my heart. I didn't know of Michelle Zauner until I read her book. I'm now exploring and learning her music. It is a blessing to meet a person like Michelle Zauner.
Thank you tiny desk!!! Another awesome new band to follow!
Great concept, was wonderfull recording.
Love this band. I wish this were longer. ❤️
This made me cry
Wonderful harmonies!
Till Death killed me.
@saddamdeath583
5 жыл бұрын
Me to ...
@Trentberkeley86
5 жыл бұрын
Pussies
@ellehansen7507
4 жыл бұрын
OMG sameeee
@CruciaLou
4 жыл бұрын
@@Trentberkeley86 why don't u fuck yourself
So good! Her voice is amazing and phrasing is really good. :)
saw them in philadelphia (their hometown) last july, couldn't help but get tearful.
Michelle’s book, “Crying in H-mart” is fantastic. This album and her book reference her mother’s death. For example her Korean mother used to make her a Japanese breakfast sometimes.
@the2ndcoming135
Жыл бұрын
Great reminder. She almost looks like she could be Brandon Lee’s sister. Or, even Jack White’s🧐
Such talent. Must be amazing feeling that loved and accepted by an audience! Many Blessings
she’s incredible. i was lucky to see them for free at the Paper Tiger and it was amazing. her voice transports you and everything feels surreal. she’s an incredible performer and you can tell she’s so incredibly humble because she would smile so much and look at the ground because the crowd loved them so much. i adore her
if you guys love michelle she had this incredible band named little big league; which was an og boyish song and i saw her live not knowing it was their last tour, i was so happy to have gotten their set list
This is one of her very best performances. She DESTROYED this event!
The violin sounds so beautiful!
this is so cozy
Beautiful sound. love it!
She is beautiful inside and out
Awesome performance!
Saw her at Lolla this year, perfect work music - love it!
Just as fantastic singing live!
Just beautiful!!
In love with her voice
Nice! Two of my favorite things united.
Be Sweet hooked me!!!
Michelle Zauner, you are special and you are lovely. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
So much flow..so perfect 💙🎶💙🎶
HELP my three favorite songs from the album
beautiful song!